| Author | Message | ||
| enzo
Intermediate Member Username: enzo Post Number: 137 Registered: 4-2009 |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSXtQV7m2PM&NR=1 | ||
| mario_farufyno
Advanced Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 299 Registered: 9-2008 |
I confess that I'm really not a Mark King fan and never liked Level 42's tunes, that Fusion-Pop bores me to death... But this is one of the nicest thing I've ever heard. Loved it! The Man plays indeed, no question about it, but his songs usualy sounds kind of lifeless to me. Nice hear him great like that. Great groove and Tone. I could bought a record of him playing like that. Hope this is a new direction (I've just heard his 80's stuff...) | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 1081 Registered: 11-2004 |
mario listen to the back catalogue The Early Tapes Level 42 The Pursuit of Accidents Standing in the Light True Colours Physical Presence(Live) These are the funky ones... World Machine okay to a point Running in the Family..very 80's pop this one made them all the money and international recognition. The rest..mediocre and don't have that freshness that the early albums had but you have to put yourself back in the 80's mind mode though. Having said all that he is one of my heroes and his playing is still top notch. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 1699 Registered: 6-2002 |
I know Mark did a solo album I think in the late 80's which I had on tape but can't remember what it was. But I thought his playing on that was much more interesting his level 42 stuff. Jazzyvee | ||
| enzo
Intermediate Member Username: enzo Post Number: 138 Registered: 4-2009 |
Terry, I fully agree with you. Jazzyvee, I think you're talking about "Influences" ( 1984 ). That was indeed a great solo album. I remember reading he recorded that, to finance a new house after he got married, or something like that. The other solo album he did was called "One man" ( 1998 ). That was a different story. | ||
| goop
Member Username: goop Post Number: 70 Registered: 7-2008 |
enzo already knows i am also a huge fan. i agree he should have put out more slow groove jam type stuff. i am actually not that fond of the speed slap when he goes berzerk. ok, once in a while, but it was a showcase and it is all about tastiness for me. i guess it gets the drunken crowd going. There is some good pop stuff on their last album Forever Now 1994, but generally the early jazz funk stuff is my favourite. I am particullarly fond of the many early instrumentals they did mr pink foundation and empire 42 43 the pursuit of accidents dune tune shape shifter i remember buying each album as they were released, always hoping for something unique and even better. Influences has the coolest funky bass riff and it blew me away, espescially the production. i think mark may have played drums too on that record. i was always dissapointed with the continued pop emphsis and direction of the band, (which actually started very early with turn it on in 1981 and grew on every album thereafter) even though i am still and always will be very fond of most of their music. i cannot believe U2 have Beetle like status these days becasue from 1981-1983, Level 42 was 10 times better than U2 were. I suppose it is how they evolved over the years and public perception. Mark has a very unique playing style. his groove is matched by few other players, but he is also magnificent with a variety of other styles and genres. I remember when true colours came out in 1984 and I really didnt appreciate tunes like hours by the window. it is a beautifully written song and has bass unlike another song I know. It is unmistakabley mark king, but not nearly in the tradtional sense that people would think of. i also enjoy material from the solo album Trash. he is not a bad singer either. he deserves as much credit as geddy lee, another player i have the highest esteem for. Colin | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 1700 Registered: 6-2002 |
Thanks Enzo I've just ordered a copy via and ebay outlet. Jazzyvee | ||
| enzo
Intermediate Member Username: enzo Post Number: 139 Registered: 4-2009 |
You're very welcome Jazzyvee ! Colin we're on the same page talking about L42 in general. I listen to everything they made but my absolute favourite are "those" oldies. You're right saying that MK played drums on "Influences" but not only drums. I pretty sure he played every instrument, leaving minor parts to a few other musicians. Another interesting and somehow funny video ( with some parts that they end up cutting on TV ) of MK explaining his technique. It's part of the "The Pier Interview", you can easily find the rest on YouTube if you're interested. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR9ZOSwi8XU&feature=PlayList&p=54EE00A9EF7DDE1F | ||
| medic162
New Username: medic162 Post Number: 5 Registered: 9-2009 |
I too have been a fan of Mark King for many years. As it is with many other bassists we enjoy - the songs that get the airplay are often times FAR from their most musically valuable material. All of Mark's early material (that would never receive airplay anywhere) is very tasteful and obviously heavily steeped in a jazz influence. Thanks for posting the link, it was quite interesting! | ||
| pauldo
Advanced Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 285 Registered: 6-2006 |
hmmm given the list that Colin put up, I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess that someone in that band is a huge science fiction nut. Hitchhiker's Guide Foundation Series Dune I remember the first time I saw Level 42 on a video - "He doesn't look very funky but he sure sounds it!" |
